Version 1.0 of my GPS Clock was a bust. I tweaked the PCB and ordered another batch. It’ll be two weeks before the PCBs arrive. I’ll have to order all new parts in the meantime. I figured I’d at least attempt to unsolder the 128x64 LCD from the messed up PCB. After all, $20 bucks is $20 bucks.



I guess it never survived the unsoldering process. Do you know how hard it is to unsolder a 20-pin connector? Even with solder-wick. I guess the subsequent re-soldering of a new 20-pin header was too much for the delicate electronics to bare.

Rather than just toss it, I figured I’d take it apart just to see if the LED backlight was something that could be liberated. The LED seemed to work when powered. It was the logic that was toast.

All it took to remove the LCD glass and front bezel was to bend the clips on the back that hold them to the PCB. After that, they came right off.



It appears that the only thing holding the LED on is the two solder points for Vcc and ground.




I unsoldered those and it came right off.



I then connected it to my breadboard and gave it some power. It lit right up.



I don’t know what I’ll do with it, but it’s better than just throwing it out. Maybe it’ll come in handy one day. Just remember, never throw anything away unless you’ve torn it apart first!